Toronto subway station tiles

The original Toronto subway tile colour scheme was generated by combining a number of background colours with four trim colours. The result was one of subtly varied unity, offering just enough difference between otherwise similar stations to avoid confusion. The regular pattern in the colour scheme went unnoticed by most subway riders.

The colours were chosen to discourage rowdy behaviour and loitering rather than for aesthetic reasons. Consequently, they have the institutional quality of hospital or penitentiary walls. For many years, Torontonians grumbled that their subway stations looked like public washrooms. But now, decades later, the remaining designs have become Modernist classics.

Station names were displayed in large lettering in the trim colour, at eye level at intervals along the platform. The names were repeated in small lettering in the main tile colour along the trim strip at ceiling level. Similar or identical lettering was frequently used on institutional architecture in the 1950s and 60s: see e.g. the University of Manitoba's campus entrance, the Regina Public Library, and the CN station in Windsor.

To get a better idea of how the stations look, both in their original designs and after renovation, see Jose Ongpin's series of Toronto subway typography posters:

In the diagrams below, adjacent stations lie along diagonals running in the upper left–lower right [\] direction. The small labels to the right of each station name are the codes used by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) for identifying escalators and other plant. Consecutive numbers with the same letter indicate adjacent stations.

Best viewed using the Toronto Subway font from Quadrat Communications, though Futura will do in a pinch.

Yonge Subway (1954)

Red Trim

Green Trim

Blue Trim

Black Trim

Primrose (yellow) Tiles

Union

7Y

St Clair

16Y

Bloor

13Y

Dundas

10Y

English Eggshell (green) Tiles

College

11Y

King

8Y

Davisville

17Y

Rosedale

14Y

Pearl Grey Tiles

Summerhill

15Y

Wellesley

12Y

Queen

9Y

Eglinton

18Y

Modifications

The original Vitrolite glass tiling was replaced during the 1980s and 1990s in all stations except Eglinton, resulting in an unfortunate hodgepodge of materials, colours, and typefaces. (At Eglinton, the Vitrolite remains; the small lettering in the trim strip has been repainted in white instead of grey.)

University Subway (1963)

Blue Trim

Black Trim

Green Trim

Grey Tiles

St. Andrew

6Y

Queen’s Park

3Y

Yellow Tiles

Osgoode

5Y

Museum*

2Y

Green Tiles

St. Patrick

4Y

St. George

1Y

The University line used a small number of subdued colour schemes. This gave it a dull, dignified, 1960s appearance consistent with University Avenue's reputation as the world's longest mausoleum. Variety of materials made up for the lack of variety of colour. St. Andrew and Osgoode were finished in Vitrolite glass, matching the Yonge line. St. Patrick and Queen’s Park – the round-walled tunneled stations – required curved panels, which were made of painted metal. Museum and St. George were the first two stations to use the new ceramic tiles that later clad the Bloor-Danforth line.

*Exception

Museum has blue trim instead of the expected black.

Modifications

St. Andrew and Osgoode were renovated in the early 1970s with rather attractive multicoloured tiling and vertical aluminum strips, which completely covered or replaced the original Vitrolite glass tiles. Renovations were necessary because of significant damage from water infiltration.

St. Patrick and Queen’s Park have been refreshed since opening with the addition of enameled metal station name signs that cover the original painted lettering, but have retained their original colour schemes.

Bloor-Danforth Subway (1966–1968)

Red Trim

Green Trim

Blue Trim

Black Trim

Grey Tiles

Old Mill

13B

Donlands

9D

Dundas West

8B

Sherbourne

4D

Bathurst

3B

Victoria Park

14D

Yellow Tiles

Main Street

13D

Jane

12B

Pape

8D

Lansdowne

7B

Yonge

3D

Spadina

2B

Green Tiles

St. George*

1B

Woodbine

12D

Runnymede

11B

Chester

7D

Dufferin

6B

White Tiles

Ossington

5B

Bay

2D

Islington*

15B

Coxwell

11D

High Park

10B

Broadview

6D

Peach Tiles

Keele

9B

Castle Frank

5D

Christie

4B

Warden*

15D

Royal York

14B

Greenwood

10D

The Bloor-Danforth line uses durable ceramic tiles that have aged well. There are two colour sequences: from Bay running west (16 stations), and from Yonge running east (13 stations).

*Exceptions

St. George has green trim instead of red, to match the University line station.

Islington and Warden have a three-colour scheme which highlights their status as terminal stations. Islington’s third colour is pale blue. Warden uses different materials in addition to the regular ceramic tile; the colour scheme in shades of brown is unique on the subway. Mark Brader gives full details.

Modifications

A fire at Christie station on October 15, 1976 damaged much of the tile. Parts of the station now have brown trim instead of the original green.

At some stations, the small lettering in the trim strip has been repainted in white instead of the main wall tile colour: Runnymede, Christie, Bathurst, Spadina, Sherbourne, Chester, and Greenwood (as of April 4, 2005).